This BLOG entry is dedicated to Rich, who seemed very interested in when my weekend update might be posted – which leads me to believe he actually does like it when I post about him and post pics, too!
So this past weekend was the trip to Phoenix. The main reason for going was to go to a
Barenaked Ladies concert with my sister and brother in law. In the end, we made a trip out of it complete with introducing Rich to friends and family and having a little getaway.
First stop, after we checked into our nice hotel, was dinner with Marti and her boyfriend, Tracy. Strangely I have no pictures of that – we were just busy chatting away I guess! Chowing down at
Oreganos, the four of us discussed how we first met each other (them: traffic school, us: e-Harmony) and more dog stories than we could count (including the sharing of pictures and everything!) Afterwards, Rich and I went to the Biltmore Fashion Square for a brief walk around to see Christmas decorations. Finishing off the night at the sports bar at the hotel, we had had an easy drive into town, pleasing hotel room, great dinner and conversation and then a 60 second walk to our room.
Saturday morning I met up with August for bagel and coffee at one of my old haunts (Einstein’s and Starbucks, of course) which was fantastic. Catching up on dogs (yes, a reoccurring topic apparently with me), career, love, family and much more, we as usual just picked up where we left off!
Then it was off to the Kaufman’s for what turned out to be a really fun visit complete with Eric, Tobie, Paige, Cole. Moxie and Homer! Seeing
Paige and Cole for the very first time in person was really moving. Like so many, I’ve spent the last 11 months reading each and every BLOG entry and felt like I knew them. But to see them and cuddle, play and marvel at them and their incredible parents in person was fantastic! After disinfecting ourselves (think the radiation exposure shower scene from Silkwood), Rich and I were allowed, in fact, encouraged to play with the kids which we did! We even had an outing – we went out for lunch! There Rich and Eric talked “shop” and Tobie and I talked about everything else! I was sorry to hear that they feel they need to give up Homer and Moxie but of course it’s understandable, especially with the baby whose name is not yet released (but I know it! I know it!) on his way.
Saturday night, Rich and I met up with my sister, Shannon and her husband, Devin for dinner and the concert. They took us to The Compass Room atop the Hyatt Regency downtown for a posh and relaxing dinner (thanks, guys!) after which we walked the 5 blocks to the concert. I’d never seen BNL before and this small venue was a great place to see them for the first time as it was quite intimate. They were, as promised, very entertaining, and I even caught Rich singing along to their encore (you didn’t think I noticed, did you, Rich?)! Then we stopped by
El Chorro Lodge for a drink by their outside fire pits. Interesting characters were there - I guess that's what happens when you first get to a place at midnight.
Sunday morning we couldn’t wait to see the Kaufman babies again (Paige, Cole and Eric) and Tobie so we took bagels and coffee to their place. That’s where I finally whipped out the camera and thanks to Eric’s experience in taking pics of the kiddies, we were able to get a few fun shots.
A moment of gratitude for
Howard Stern’s show on Sirius. Listening to the replays of that on the way back to California was great. I was so bummed out to be leaving the fun and facing the week ahead (school night syndrome, you know?) that we were able to have quite a few laughs throughout the 6 hour drive.
And for a few TV comments:
- If you are a Survivor fan, check out the BLOG on Survivor.com where past survivors post after each episode. Some of them are hilarious!
- If you are an Amazing Race fan, I, too, miss the Beauty Queens and can’t believe Rob & Kimberly made it first. “Damnit!” Another funny update on this show can be found each week on EW.
- If you are a Heroes fan, then you’re awesome. Loving that show!
- If you are a House Hunters fan on HGTV, why don’t we ever meet a couple who look at a space and say, “This is great for entertaining. But we don’t entertain.” I can’t believe there aren’t more couch potatoes on that show. I end up feeling bad about my life, because every person on there needs a space to entertain in. And I would just want room for a big TV!
- If you are an America’s Next Top Model fan, I understand why you are embarrassed to admit it, since I am too. But it’s so goooood!
